[Update: This article was written more than 5 years ago and my camera is still working meaning it has survived the infestation and methods I tried which I have shared below]

My camera and I recovered from a great disaster a few weeks ago. Hundreds of ants entered in my DSLR Nikon D90. At first, I had no idea of what to do. Everyone gave different advice. I tried almost everything. I will share them and let's see what worked best.

I am sharing some methods I tried and others you may try to get rid of all the ants (alive ones) form the camera

1. I picked the ants from hand and blew them away. This may take hours of effort but all lucky ants remaining inside won't go.

2. I put my camera in sun. The ants couldn't bear the heat inside and started to come out. But the heat outside was much more than the inside, so ants preferred to stay inside. PS- make sure you don't heat the camera in sun more than the suggested operating temperature mentioned in the manual.3. Ants don't like the smell of turmeric. I spread some turmeric powder near the camera and waited for a night. I could see some ants leaving the camera. But again few returned back to the camera.

4. Some people suggested me to put some sweets outside so ants would come out. But I didn't try this, as it could have attracted more ants from outside. There was also the possibility that ants could have taken food inside the camera and fill their Ration :D

5. In the end, I used a hair drier to blow away the ants. The warm air did a great job. Also, make sure the drier is not hot and speed is low. You can use air blower, vacuum cleaner or the back of the vacuum cleaner. I blew air from the battery cap from where the most of the ants had entered. They started coming from the dials. I needed to do it few times at some intervals.

6. I also tried to irritate the ants with vibration. I used the hair drier again for giving mild vibration. Don't try to tap your delicate camera with hands, and give it shocks. I kept the hair drier over the camera for few minutes, the motor vibrated enough to irritate the ants.

7. You can also spread insecticides and put your camera at the center. This will kill the ants coming out from your camera and will avoid them from returning back. This will also prevent other ants to enter in the SLR. Take much care so you don't make your SLR poisonous unless you want to take selfies in the hospital.

8.[Don't] Washing your DSLR in water (I kept getting funny suggestions). You can dip your camera in water if you don't love it. If the ants don't hold anything inside. They will be floating in the water. But remember, ants can live underwater for 2 days. Though I don't need to say, don't try this one.

9. Sending your DSLR to the authorized service center is the best idea. Although ant infestations aren't covered by warranty, and they will charge for removing the ants. But it's the safest way. This also won't void the warranty. If you have tried above methods for removing the ants and all ants have gone. Despite this, You should send your SLR to the service center. Because there might be remains of ants, dead bodies, food or eggs in there. Which may cause fungus, moisture or attract ants or other insects in future.

10. Always put some silica jell packets in the DSLR bag. Some professionals suggest keeping the camera inside airtight plastic container storage boxes instead of keeping it in the bags.

If you experienced the same, and have something to say. Feel free to comment below.